What To Look For In A Prattville Pediatric Dentistry Practice

By Megan Landry


A pediatric dentist has dedicated his or her practice to providing dental care to infants, children, and teens. They specialize in caring for the teeth and gums throughout each stage of childhood. It is recommended that children see a dentist by the time they reach one year of age. Finding the best Prattville pediatric dentistry practice is essential to ensure a positive experience for the child.

Once the primary care physician indicates that a child should visit a dentist, it's necessary to begin looking for just the right one. These dental healthcare providers offer a full range of treatment and oral care options and know how to work with young patients in a way that makes the visit fun instead of scary.

Pediatric dentistry includes a comprehensive range of care that includes the diagnosis of oral disorders which are related to other underlying illnesses, recommendations for orthodontic treatment, and dental examinations for children of all ages. It also includes preventive measures like cleaning and fluoride treatments, cavity risk evaluation, fillings, and repair of broken or chipped teeth.

Since children do not always cooperate for dental examinations, the special training of pediatric dentists prepares them for this fact and teaches them how to relate to such young patients in a way that will keep them engaged and relaxed while their teeth are checked. They also tend to use equipment that has been specially designed for children to add to the friendly atmosphere of their practice.

A good place to start one's search for a family dentist is to ask others such as friends and family if they can recommend someone they are pleased with Most pediatricians or family doctors will be able to refer patients to a child-friendly dentist as well. Pediatric dentists are those with an additional two years of training past dental school which qualify them for this specialization. It's important to verify any dentist's credentials before arranging an appointment for the child.

Selecting two or three dentists and arranging a consultation with them is a good way to assess how adept each one is at relating to the child and if the child likes the dentist and feels relaxed with him or her. The dentist should have a friendly demeanor and be happy to talk to the parents regarding their child's oral care and answers any questions which may arise, one who is not eager to do this is clearly not the best choice.

The general atmosphere of the dental office should also be catered to children with an assortment of toys, books, and possibly other attractions such as a fish tank, coloring, or video games. Such fun distractions help take a child's mind off the reason he or she is there. The staff should all be friendly and have a good way of communicating with children.

By observing how the child relates to a particular dentist and the rapport between them, parents should be able to pick the Prattville pediatric dentistry practice that is the best fit. A good dentist is patient and friendly and always explains procedures and dental care to children in a way they can understand and calms their fears.




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